Frequently Asked Questions

Tallinn Winter School, as part of Tallinn University, a fully accredited Estonian higher education institution, offers winter programmes for international students and has been successfully doing so for many years.

Courses

Tallinn Winter School has a dynamic structure and all the courses adopt a student friendly approach.

The class times for the courses vary from day to day except language courses which have a more fixed daily routine. Classes are normally held between at 9:00 or 10:00 and last until 13:00 or 13:30. Between classes there are coffee breaks. The lunch break is scheduled after the language classes. After the classes it’s possible to take part in the cultural programme activities.

Tallinn Winter School has an extensive cultural programme which includes lectures, museum visits and a weekend-trip.

Our winter school has grown rapidly and since the courses vary from year to year, we have set up three ways you can access the latest information.

Firstly, there is an office (room T217) on the second floor of the Terra building at Narva mnt  25.

Secondly, there is the TWS website with information up-dated daily.

Finally, there is a fan page on Facebook and a Facebook group. If you have a question, just ask and one of the staff members will answer as soon as possible.

The easiest way is to pay via internet banking. The details are all posted on the website.

If you are in Tallinn you can also pay in cash for extra events or services.

The cafes are open all three weeks and are located in Astra building at Narva mnt 29, in Terra building at Narva mnt 25, in Mare building at Uus-Sadama 5, in Nova building at Narva mnt 27.

For most of the courses yes, you do.

Please visit the TWS website and read the information there carefully.

This site includes an online application form that you can complete and send from your browser.

You will be contacted a few days after sending the application form. If you have not heard from us after two weeks of applying online, please send us a reminder e-mail.

After we have received your application form, you will be contacted by one of our staff. You will also be issued an invoice, which you have 14 days to pay. If you need more time, the summer school advises you to let us know in your initial application form. If you have not paid by the due date, you will be notified and your name will be removed from the list of participants.

The language courses all have a placement test either before the course or in the first lesson to ascertain your level. Please enroll in the class that you feel best matches your level. The placement test and activities in the first lesson will then confirm your choice or suggest that you be placed in another class. If after the first lesson you still have doubts, you need to contact your course leader.

Accomodation

Once you have chosen your course, go the accommodation page on the winter school website. There you will find information about which accommodation options are open to you.

Generally speaking, your accommodation can be in the student hostel on Karu St. If you want to stay there, you need to indicate this on your application form when you apply. The winter school will then make a reservation for you and when you arrive you will simply need to introduce yourself at the hostel and the reception staff will check you in.

The staff at the hostel may be elderly and so a little patience is necessary.

The hostel has 24 hr security surveillance.

You will need pay before you arrive via internet banking. All the details are up on the website.

Yes, you can, but please inform the winter school of your wishes by including them in the application form. Please also remember that the earlier your reservation is placed, the better your chances of getting the rooms to suit your wishes.

Yes, at the hostel you can. The hostel has a 24 hr reception service like any hotel in town.

Unfortunately, the winter school does not organise home-stay style accommodation..

Practicalities

We strongly recommend that you have at least 15 EUR in cash with you to pay for a taxi. The taxi fare from the airport to the hostel, or any hotel in the city centre should cost no more than 10 EUR.

The airport currency exchange is open until the last flight has landed, but please bear in mind – the commission on currency exchanges is higher at the airport.

Health and safety standards are applied to all providers of transportation during the weekend trips, tours and events in the cultural programme.

If you feel your safety, health or security is being compromised, you can call the 24 hr emergency assistance number 110 (emergency number).

Personal insurance is your own responsibility.

The university hostel is equipped with safety provisions such as smoke alarms, fire exits and fire extinguishers. There is a 24 hr guard at all the university premises.